That seemed to be the overwhelming sentiment following Thursday's opening day of the 29th Redlands Bicycle Classic.

Classic organizers chose to relocate the opening day time trials, from their longstanding home in Redlands to the mountain resort, and it seemed to have paid off.

The top finishers in both the men's and women's fields were glowing about the new course.

"I loved it up here," said Tom Zibel, who took runner-up honors. "I think the altitude helped me a little bit. I'm from Boulder, CO. It is not as quite as high as Big Bear but I love racing in the mountains."

The Classic received a big boost in the form of a financial sponsorship from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, and it was soon thereafter that the change to Big Bear was made.

Big Bear had hosted stages of the Tour de California in the past.

"I think it went well," Classic race director Eric Reiser said. "You couldn't ask for better weather conditions. That was our biggest concern. You can't predict the weather. But it was a beautiful day."

Making the move was worth the effort, Reiser said.

"The last few weeks and months, we were busy," Reiser said. "It was worth it, just it is every year."

Classic president Dan Rendler said the feedback was all positive.

"The racers and the team managers all seemed to love the course," Rendler said. "They loved the technical part of the course. They seemed very pleased with it."